Click on through to shop at BillCurrieFord.com. Factory pricing is in effect for EVERYONE in June! Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the famous Ira Kaufman discount on top of their great everyday prices. Just ask! Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!
BY IRA KAUFMAN
The Buccaneers are celebrating their five decades as an NFL member, so I am counting down the 50 most notable players in franchise history.
No. 50 – Mark Cotney
No. 49 – Mike Washington
No. 48 – Richard “Batman” Wood
No. 47 – Aqib Talib
No. 46 – Ricky Reynolds
No. 45 – Keyshawn Johnson
No. 44 – Ricky Bell
No. 43 – Vincent Jackson
No. 42 – Mark Carrier
No. 41 – Donnie Abraham
No. 40 – Cadillac Williams
No. 39 – Joey Galloway
No. 38 – Kevin House
No. 37 – Davin Joseph
No. 36 – Shelton Quarles
No. 35 – Michael Pittman
No. 34 – Leonard Fournette
No. 33 – Donovan Smith
No. 32 – Rob Gronkowski
No. 31 – Doug Martin
No. 30 – Baker Mayfield
No. 29 – Ndamukong Suh
No. 28 – Hugh Green
No. 27 – Jason Pierre-Paul
No. 26 – Shaq Barrett
25. Donald Penn
A 7-year starter at left tackle, Penn proved to be a solid blind-side protector for Jeff Garcia, Luke McCown, Brian Griese, Josh Freeman, Byron Leftwich and Mike Glennon. He never missed a game for Tampa Bay and was whistled for only 10 holding penalties as a Buccaneer. He made the 2010 Pro Bowl and caught two TD passes for Tampa Bay. He was released in 2014 after the ill-fated signing of Anthony Collins.
24. Brad Johnson
The former FSU standout ranks seventh in career passing yards, sixth in completions and eighth in TD passes as a Buccaneer while fashioning a 26-23 record as a starter. Johnson signed as a free agent in 2001 and promptly set franchise marks for passing yards and completions. He led the NFC in QB rating during the 2002 championship season, throwing 187 consecutive passes at one point without an interception. Johnson proved his toughness by throwing five TD passes during the championship run after missing the final two games of the regular season with a severely bruised lower back.
23. Gerald McCoy
A polarizing figure for Buc Nation, McCoy made three All-Pro teams and earned six Pro Bowl berths. Only Derrick Brooks and Warren Sapp have more. He ranks fourth in franchise history with 54.5 sacks. McCoy overcame injuries to both biceps early in his career. His 7-year contract extension in 2014 marked the biggest deal ever awarded to a defensive tackle. In his final six years with the Bucs, McCoy never posted fewer than six sacks.
22. Ali Marpet
The Bucs traded up four spots in the 2015 draft to select him out of Division III Hobart in the second round after Marpet registered the fastest 40 time at the Combine among offensive linemen. Marpet began his pro career at right guard before being shifted to center in 2017. After the Bucs signed Ryan Jensen, they moved Marpet to left guard for his final four seasons. He missed only three games in that span before retiring in 2022 at the age of 28, coming off a Pro Bowl season with two years remaining on his contract.
21. Vita Vea
This first-round pick in the 2018 draft still anchors Tampa Bay’s defensive line and has averaged six sacks in the past four seasons. He led the team with 6.5 sacks in 2022 and Vea’s 350-pound presence in the middle quickly transformed the Bucs rush defense into a formidable unit. During the 2020 championship year, Vea suffered a fractured ankle in Week 5 that threatened to end his season. Instead, he played in both the NFC championship game at Green Bay and the Super Bowl against the Chiefs, inspiring teammates with his dedication.
Ira Kaufman Dives Into All Angles Of The Tristan Wirfs Setback, Talks Training Camp, Jameis Winston’s New Description Of Himself, And Much More